HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
OCTOBER 1, 2014
Chairman Michael Lane called the regular meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. In attendance were Commission members Rob Busler, Lucy Maddox and Ed Minch, Kees de Mooy, Jennifer Mulligan, Town Clerk and guests.
Mr. Lane stated that the Chestertown Historic District Commission takes its authority from Chapter 93 of the Code of the Town of Chestertown and operates under the Historic District Design Guidelines that were adopted by the Mayor and Council of Chestertown on October 7, 2002 and revised March 7, 2012.
Mr. Lane asked if there were any additions or corrections to the minutes of the meeting of September 3, 2014. Ms. Maddox moved to approve the minutes as submitted, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
Items on the consent calendar were as follows:
a. BP2014-98 – Kathleen Jones – 232 Cannon Street – Roof;
b. BP2014-101 – Leo Dulin – 511 High Street – Replace front door;
c. BP2014-102 – Johnson Fortenbaugh – 357 High Street – Roof.
Mr. Busler stated that he had a question on BP2014-101 and asked that it be removed from the consent calendar.
Mr. Busler moved to approve the following applications as they were in accordance with the Design Guidelines for the Town of Chestertown:
a.BP2014-98 – Kathleen Jones – 232 Cannon Street – Roof, and;
c.BP2014-102 – Johnson Fortenbaugh -357 High Street – Roof.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2014-101 from Leo Dulin at 511 High Street to replace a front door. Mr. Minch stated that the front door was vinyl. Ms. Mulligan stated that the wooden door shown in the photo was original to the house and was used for the side door. Mr. Dulin would replicate that door in wood. Mr. Minch stated that it is evident by the photo where a transom once existed. Mr. Dulin stated that he would make the door and transom using Spanish cedar.
Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2014-101 from Leo Dulin at 511 High Street for a front door as described on the plans in Spanish cedar with a transom, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2014-86 from Unity Design/Build and Mr. Earl Runde for a driveway, retaining wall and deck at 116 Riverside Terrace. Mr. Lane read the application into the record. Mr. Mike Jensen of Unity Design/Build was present for the application. Mr. Lane stated that since the last meeting a letter was submitted for the file from the condominium association approving the project.
Mr. Minch moved to approve application BP2014-86 as submitted as it was in accordance with the Historic District Guidelines for Chestertown, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
The next application was from Roy Mears and Gail Rasin for new stairs at 107 High Street. Mr. Lane read the application into the record. Mr. Lane stated that the existing hand railing for the porch would be used for the new railing profile. Mr. de Mooy stated that there was an original application to have this work done and the steps were built with a composite material. The new steps would be built in wood. He said that the material in the photos was synthetic and the stairs were not built to code. Mr. Busler stated that he was concerned there was sufficient space to bring the stair to code and still fit in the dimension proposed.
Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2014-93 for stairs at 107 High Street pending development of a dimension and scale drawing for review by the Zoning Administrator, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The next item on the agenda was BP2014-94 from Bruce and Connie Hartwig at 115 N. Queen Street for a metal spiral staircase on the outbuilding in the yard. Mr. Lane read the application into the record. Mr. Busler stated that the stair would go into the side yard and was only 20” from the property line. Mr. de Mooy stated that for certain types of structures an overhang can intrude into a setback, but he said that was more an issue for him than the Historic District Commission.
Mr. Busler stated that Ms. Maddox is an adjacent property owner and that might cause a conflict of interest. Mr. de Mooy stated that unless the Commissioner was approached by the owner in an attempt to influence their vote, there should not be a conflict. Ms. Maddox stated that she was uncertain as to whether the house was behind her house or not but she did not know the owners.
Mr. Minch moved to approve BP2014-94 for a metal spiral stair and porch on the outbuilding, was seconded by Ms. Maddox and carried unanimously.
Mr. Busler asked Mr. de Mooy be certain that the staircase does not violate any code for setbacks.
The next item on the agenda was BP2014-95 from QA13 Architects and Rebecca Flora at 218 Mount Vernon Avenue for exterior renovations. Ms. Paula Bell and Mr. Kenneth Schiano of QA13 Architects were present for the application. Mr. Lane read the application into the record.
Mr. de Mooy stated that he visited the property and all of the original windows were replaced some time ago by a previous owner. He said that the new owner would like to go back to a more appropriate wood window with metal cladding.
Mr. Lane asked if the new siding and trim proposed were for the rear of the building. Ms. Bell stated that it would be in the rear and only what had to be replaced.
Mr. Busler moved to approve BP2014-95 for exterior renovations at 218 Mount Vernon Avenue as it was in keeping with the Design Guidelines, was seconded by Mr. Minch and carried unanimously.
The last item on the agenda was BP2014-97 from the Imperial Hotel at 208 High Street for rear entry door to the restaurant. Mr. Lane read the application into the record. Mr. Stephen Meehan, owner, was present for the application.
Mr. Minch stated that the door proposed was only 44” but the cavity was much larger and asked how it would be filled. Mr. Meehan stated that they would use wood and he needed the larger door in order to move appliances in and out. He also said that the employees liked the idea of only having one door when carrying food.
Mr. Meehan stated that the strap hinges would not be put back in place. He said that the back area was constructed by a previous owner within the last ten (10) years.
Ms. Maddox moved to approve BP2014-97 from the Imperial Hotel for a new rear door as proposed as it was in accordance with the Design Guidelines for the Historic District of Chestertown, was seconded by Mr. Busler and carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Mr. Minch moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:36 p.m., was seconded by Ms. Maddox and carried unanimously.
Submitted by:
Jennifer Mulligan
Town Clerk
Approved by:
Michael Lane
Chairman